Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled city of Hodeidah in Yemen on the 24th local time.

The strikes came as an immediate retaliatory measure after the Houthi rebels declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia and attacked Saudi vessels.

According to Reuters, the Saudi-led coalition announced that it carried out a "proportionate military response operation" targeting military sites linked to the Houthi rebels in Hodeidah, Yemen, on that day.

The coalition emphasized that it would respond without compromise if the Houthi rebels continue their hostile acts.

AFP reported that Al-Masirah TV, a media outlet affiliated with the Houthi rebels, also reported on the same day that the Saudi attacks targeted Hodeidah Governorate, leaving two people injured.

Explosions echoed across various parts of Hodeidah Governorate, which borders the Red Sea, centered around its port, and rebel media outlets mentioned that local telecommunications infrastructure and Kamaran Island off the coast of Hodeidah were targeted.

A source told AFP that Saudi Arabia directly struck facilities owned by the Houthi rebels.

The Houthi rebels are an Iran-backed separatist faction, and Saudi Arabia has been supporting the Yemeni government forces fighting against them.

The two sides entered a truce in April 2022 mediated by the United Nations, but the Houthi rebels declared the end of the truce on the 20th, pointing the finger at Saudi Arabia for the bombing of Sanaa Airport in Yemen.

The Houthi rebels subsequently declared a total maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia and announced that they carried out a military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers on the 23rd.

The Saudi Public Transport Authority stated on the same day that the NCC Massa, an oil tanker belonging to a Saudi company, suffered minor hull damage after being attacked while navigating the Red Sea.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)